Trinity’s response to COVID-19

Current students are regularly sent emails with any new information, including class structure and examination periods. Students are advised to regularly check their Trinity email account.

How is Trinity supporting the safety and wellbeing of all students, including implementing physical distancing recommendations? 

It is important that we’re not complacent. Trinity is staying focused and following the existing protocols that are in place to ensure we continue to keep our students safe and well.

Information for students returning and/or coming in to Australia

There are a couple of important details to note, including students needing to be fully vaccinated with a TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) approved or recognised vaccine. We know you'll have lots of questions. View the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website for up-to-date information on this issue. Click the button below to read our FAQs for Foundation Studies students.

Workplaces

Students who are on-campus must follow these steps to ensure their safety when they are able to attend campus:

• Stay at home if you have any symptoms including cough, fever, sore throat, and isolate until you receive a negative test result
• Scan the QR code when entering the school. The accuracy and availability of this data will assist in contact tracing in the event of a suspected confirmed case
• maintain social distancing of 1.5m
• maintain good hygiene practices including regular hand-washing
• Pathways will continue thorough cleaning regimes of classrooms and facilities.

We continue to follow our COVIDSafe guidelines* which will be updated to reflect any new information.

*All Schools in Victoria must have the relevant plan available upon request from DHHS appointed officials.

What to do if you're feeling unwell

Symptoms such as fever, tiredness, a runny nose or sore throat may indicate COVID-19. Students must get tested if they experience any of these symptoms. PCR tests are free, even to those without a Medicare card. Here is a list of COVID-19 PCR testing sites.

Once tested, you must immediately isolate until you receive a negative test result (indicating you do not have COVID-19). 

Anyone who is feeling ill (and has received a negative COVID-19 test result) should seek advice from a GP (doctor). If it is an emergency, call 000. Please call ahead to let the medical facility know your symptoms and follow their advice.

Useful contacts

Here are some useful numbers, or ask a staff member if you are unsure who to call:

• Unimelb Health Service: 03 8344 6904
• After hours GP: 13 74 25
• 24/7 free nurse on call: 1300 606 024
• The Royal Melbourne Hospital is also close to Trinity at 300 Grattan St (corner of Royal Parade)
• Trinity College nurse: pathwaynurses@trinity.unimelb.edu.au
• Trinity College student wellbeing team: wellbeing@trinity.unimelb.edu.au

Students and residential staff are expected to follow any restrictions set by the Victorian Government, in addition to the to protect our community. 

Health and wellbeing 

Together, the Residential Support Team (RST), the TCAC leadership team, RAs and SCs will assist any student if they are ill or have any health concerns, either physically or emotionally. 

If a student falls ill or is identified as a primary close contact, we will ask them to isolate in their room, or make arrangements for accommodation away from the College, such as returning home. For many, travelling home will not be a viable option. Trinity is home! If this is the case, rest assured that we will look after them. Close primary contacts may be required to isolate (on site).

Assistance 

The College will assist students with: 

·       isolation, if required, for those who fall ill in this early phase. Isolation measures will be constantly reviewed and adapted as appropriate; 

·       information and medical services support; 

·       mental health and wellbeing support via our pastoral care structure; 

·       communication with relevant university course authorities and loved ones if needed. 

Hygiene 

Students experiencing any flu-like symptoms have been asked not to enter common areas or the dining hall. Students and staff who become unwell are being asked to self-isolate and contact the appropriate support (RST, RAs, SCs) at the College to register for assistance if needed. 

Additional measures being implemented immediately are listed below.  

·       Additional hand sanitisers have been placed around the College including at the dining hall and café entry points.  

·       Communal toilets will be cleaned regularly, and more frequently, during the day.   

·       Increased cleaning of communal areas.  

·       Reception surfaces will be wiped down with sanitiser regularly during reception hours. 

·      Isolation areas have been designated and protocols are in place should they be required. 

Risk levels 

If risk levels are raised, the College may enact other actions including: 

·       University online course material will increase, and the College academic support program will assist students to keep abreast of their studies 

·       All food service will move to staff service

·       Mealtimes will be extended, and corridors allocated a time for service to reduce the number of students in the dining hall at any one time and to increase social distancing. 

What happens when a case of COVID-19 presents at Trinity College?

We have action plans in place, including isolation procedures, to ensure the virus is contained when a case presents within our community. 

Signs and symptoms of illness must be taken seriously and anyone presenting with these symptoms will be asked to get a PCR test or rapid test. The University of Melbourne are currently providing free rapid tests to students in need.

Student health and wellbeing is at the forefront of everything we do, so rest assured, we will inform and support students throughout this process.

Trinity Theological School and University of Divinity students are well-placed to continue their education, while avoiding the spread and contraction of COVID-19. Our staff are well-practiced in delivering classes in a hybrid format (a portion of our students are online-only). 

Please, if you are feeling unwell and are showing symptoms such as runny nose, fever, aches etc, please get tested and isolate until you receive a negative test result.

Do not attend Church services, and try to avoid contact with others. 

If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention ASAP. Here are some useful numbers if you should fall unwell:

• After hours GP: 13 74 25
• 24/7 free nurse on call: 1300 606 024
• The Royal Melbourne Hospital is also close to Trinity at 300 Grattan St (corner of Royal Parade)

Pathways School students and parents
academicadmin@trinity.unimelb.edu.au

Residential College students and parents
residentialcollege@trinity.unimelb.edu.au

Theological School students
tcts@trinity.edu.au   

See updates from the University of Melbourne on COVID-19.